The government would implement the Child Car Seat Law or the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act starting Tuesday, February 2.
The requires private vehicles to put restraint systems for child passengers to prevent injury and deaths in case of a crash.
Under the Child Car Seat Law, kids 12 years old and below are required to be in a child restraint device or a baby seat.
The law also prohibits children to sit in the front seat. However, if the child is 12 years old and above and is 150 centimeters, they could sit in front provided they could be secured properly by the seatbelt.
“It shall be unlawful for the driver of a covered vehicle not to properly secure at all times a child, in a child restraint system while the engine is running,” the law states.
“The child restraint system shall be appropriate to the child’s age, height, and weight.”
The use of child restraint system shall not be required in circumstances where its use would put such child in greater danger, such as during medical emergencies or when the child has a medical or developmental condition.
At no instance shall a child being secured in a child restraint system be left unaccompanied by an adult in a motor vehicle, the law added.
Child Car Seat Law in Philippines effective by Feb. 2
Any driver found violating this law shall be fined P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense and P5,000 and the suspension of the driver’s license for one year for the third and succeeding offenses.
The Child Car Seat Law is also in accordance with the international standards set by the United Nations. All manufacturers, importers, distributors, and sellers of child restraint systems are required to follow the standards set by the UN on child restraints.
Any “manufacturer, distributor, importer, retailer and seller” who violates it may be punished with a fine of P50,000 to P100,000 for “each and every child restraint system manufactured, distributed, imported and/ or sold”.
Any driver who allows the use of substandard and/or expired child restraint system or permits the use of child restraint system that does not bear the Philippine Standard mark shall also be slapped with the same penalties.
Tampering of the PS mark or Import Clearance Certificate (ICC) sticker shall be punished with a fine of not less than P50,000 but not more than P100,000 for each and every child restraint system product.
While the Child Car Seat Law will already effect on Tuesday, the LTO said it will only start apprehending violators in “3 to 6 months.”